Running is often celebrated as one of the most accessible sports. Lace up a pair of shoes, step outside, and go. But if you look at leadership positions, coaching roles, and even the faces represented at major events, a different story unfolds.
Women, especially BIPOC women and Indigenous athletes, remain underrepresented in sports leadership. While nearly 50% of athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics were women—marking the most gender-equal Games in history—women hold only 13% of leadership roles in international sports federations. And when it comes to media representation, female athletes receive less than 4% of coverage. The disparity is clear.
For Indigenous women, the barriers run even deeper. Limited access to resources, cultural stereotypes, and systemic inequities mean fewer opportunities to participate in and lead within sports. According to the CDC, 29.1% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults report no physical activity outside of work, a higher rate than their white counterparts. If fewer Indigenous women are able to engage in sports at a foundational level, it’s no surprise they’re also underrepresented at elite levels and in leadership positions.
But the momentum for change is growing. Organizations like ReNew Earth Running, Native Women Running, and the Running Industry Diversity Coalition are amplifying BIPOC voices in running. The Women’s Sports Foundation, Black Women in Sport Foundation, and Women of Color in Sports (WOCIS) are actively working to dismantle barriers and create leadership pathways. Grassroots movements like Black Girls RUN! and Latinos Run are proving that representation in running isn’t just a conversation—it’s a movement.
So where do we go from here?
Change starts when we recognize the gaps and actively work to close them. It starts with who we see coaching, mentoring, and leading. It starts with breaking down stereotypes about what a runner “should” look like. It starts with supporting and investing in organizations that make a difference.
If you’re a runner looking for a coach who understands these challenges firsthand—who knows what it’s like to navigate the sport as an Indigenous athlete and a woman—let’s work together. Whether you're striving to improve your performance, balance running with strength training, or simply find more joy in movement, I can help you get there. Because this isn’t just about running. It’s about rewriting the narrative of who belongs in this sport.
Are you ready to be part of the change? Let’s start today.